Description

Glutathione reductase (GR) (EC 1.8.1.7), also known as glutathione-disulfide reductase (GSR), catalyzes the reduction of glutathione disulfide (GSSG) to the sulfhydryl form glutathione (GSH). They function as dimeric disulfide oxidoreductase and utilize an FAD prosthetic group and NADPH. They are defined thank to a small NADH binding domain within a larger FAD binding domain. GR sequences are closely related to dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase.
The GR are conserved between all kingdoms. In bacteria, yeasts, and animals, only one glutathione reductase gene has been detected. Two GR genes have been found in green organisms. Drosophila and Trypanosomes do not possess GR encoding sequence.